Container deposit refund system

Abstract

A machine for refunding the deposit on empty containers such as bottles or cans for encouraging their return is disclosed. The machine includes an access door through which an empty container is introduced to an inspection station whereupon an inspection device determines if the empty container is marked with a proper identifying mark unique to that brand of container. The inspection device includes an ultraviolet light source which directs ultraviolet radiation onto an identifying mark on the container and causes fluorescent emmission of a narrow band of light. The radiation detection scheme of the present invention employs at least a pair of photodetectors, one which detects the very narrow band of radiation emitted from the fluorescent identifying mark, and the other which monitors whether or not any adjacent light bands are emitted from the object to a significant degree. The presence of adjacent wavelengths of radiation above a predetermined level would indicate that the container was not authentic and would preclude the refund of any money to the person presenting the incorrect container. If the container is determined to be authentic, then the refund is returned and the container is retained by the machine.

We claim: 
     
       1. An automatic refund device for refunding the deposit on deposit containers determined to be authentic, said containers having an identification means mounted thereon, comprising: a housing containing an opening for receiving said containers therein;   detection means for detecting the authenticity of said containers by recognition of said identification means and for generating a refund signal in response thereto;   elevator means for moving said container from a first position adjacent said opening in said housing to a second position in close proximity to said detection means, said elevator means being selectively movable from the first to the second position;   container transport means for transferring said container from said elevator means for storage;   ejector means for moving said container from said elevator means to said container transport means in response to the refund signal from said detector means; and   deposit refund means for returning the deposit in response to the refund signal from said detector means.   
     
     
       2. The automatic refund transport means of claim 1, wherein said container transport means comprises a chute for transferring said container away from said elevator means by the force of gravity. 
     
     
       3. The automatic refund device of claim 1, wherein said ejector means comprises a solenoid for pushing said container out of said elevator. 
     
     
       4. The automatic refund device of claim 1, wherein said detector means comprises: first means for sensing the presence of at least a predetermined minimum intensity of radiation of a predetermined spectral frequency emitted from said identification means and producing a first signal in response thereto; and   means for generating the refund signal in response to the presence of said first signal.   
     
     
       5. The automatic refund device of claim 4, wherein said detector means further comprises: second means for sensing the presence of at least a predetermined minimum intensity of radiation of frequencies other than the predetermined frequency emitted from said identification means and for producing a second signal in response thereto; and   wherein said means for generating generates a refund signal only in the absence of the second signal.   
     
     
       6. The automatic refund device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 further comprising: storage means for storing deposit containers delivered to it by said container transport means.   
     
     
       7. The automatic refund device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 further comprising: compactor means for reducing the volume of the deposit containers delivered to it by said container transport means and storing these containers therein.   
     
     
       8. A device for detecting the authenticity of an object including a radiation emitting identification means, the radiation emitted having a predetermined spectral frequency indicative of the authenticity of said object, comprising: first means for sensing the presence of at least a predetermined minimum intensity of radiation of the predetermined spectral frequency emitted from said identification means and producing a first signal in response thereto;   second means for sensing the presence of at least a predetermined minimum intensity of radiation of frequencies other than the predetermined frequency emitted from said identification means and for producing a second signal in response thereto; and   means for determining the authenticity of the object by detecting both the presence of said first signal and the absence of said second signal.   
     
     
       9. The device of claim 8, further comprising: exciter means for exciting the identification means in order to cause the identification means to emit said radiation to be sensed.   
     
     
       10. The device of claim 9, wherein said exciter means comprises a radiant energy source; and wherein said identification means is fluorescent and said radiation emitted from said identification means is in the form of light waves.   
     
     
       11. A method of detecting the authenticity of an object including a radiation emitting identification means, the radiation emitted having a predetermined spectral frequency indicative of the authenticity of said object, including the steps of: sensing the presence of at least a predetermined minimum intensity of radiation of the predetermined spectral frequency emitted from said identification means and producing a first signal in response thereto;   sensing the presence of at least a predetermined minimum intensity of radiation of frequencies other than the predetermined frequency emitted from said identification means and for producing a second signal in response thereto; and   determining the authenticity of the object by detecting both the presence of said first signal and the absence of said second signal.   
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11 including the further step of: exciting the identificaiton means in order to cause the identification means to emit said radiation to be sensed.